Energy management system

Abstract

Device and system for measuring the power consumption of individual power consumers in an office and the like. A simple device provides coupling to the respective consumer and sends the signal originating therefrom, with the aid of preferably ZigBee technology, to a central receiver, where it is processed. If appropriate, feedback is provided to the respective consumer. The central processing unit can not only be configured to provide information about the respective consumption to the consumer of the system but can also be programmed to display a comparison with the desired consumption. If appropriate, separate consumers can each be displayed. A circuit can be provided wherein the passage of power to one of the users is disconnected if a specific power consumption or the like is exceeded. It is also possible, for example for an energy company, to disconnect and connect a consumer which is coupled to the device remotely.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A device comprising a sensor for detecting the energy consumption of an energy consumer, a processor for processing the signal originating from said sensor and a transmitter which operates over a short distance for sending that signal to a central processing unit, said device comprising means for direct coupling to the electric feeder cable of said user, said device comprising a receiver which is combined with said transmitter, said receiver being configured for receiving a signal from said central processing unit, said receiver switching a switch which is present in said device for the passage of power to said energy consumer. 
     
     
         16 . The device as claimed in  claim 15 , comprising a transmitter which operates with ZigBee. 
     
     
         17 . A system comprising a number of devices for detecting the energy consumption of a number of energy consumers, wherein each device comprises a sensor for detecting the energy consumption of said energy consumer, a processor for processing the signal originating from said sensor and a transmitter which operates over a short distance for sending that signal to a central processing unit which is shared, for said devices, with a receiver and processor, said central processing unit incorporating comparison means for comparing said receiver data with other data, at least one of the devices comprising a receiver which is combined with said transmitter, which receiver is configured for receiving a signal from said central processing unit and which receiver switches a switch which is present in said device for the passage of power to said energy consumer and which central processing unit is provided with a transmitter which operates said receiver. 
     
     
         18 . The system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said other data includes a previously input value. 
     
     
         19 . The system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said central processing unit is configured for the connecting of a device as a result of that comparison. 
     
     
         20 . The system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said central processing unit comprises a  30  minicomputer provided with an output for communication with a computer. 
     
     
         21 . The system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said central processing unit is provided with an input which can be operated remotely for the controlling of said transmitter. 
     
     
         22 . The system as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said input comprises an Internet connection. 
     
     
         23 . The system as claimed in either  claim 21 , wherein said input comprises a wireless connection. 
     
     
         24 . The system as claimed in  claim 17 , comprising various devices, each provided with a transmitter-controlled switch, wherein said central processing unit is adjustable for separately determining the switching of the switch in question.